Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Yasmin (Chilli & Sukhi's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
El-Saie: I was going through a tough medical phase and needed a creative outlet, so I started photographing Chilli and posted his pics to a Facebook page I created for him. People loved him and wanted to know what Chilli did next! He got a whole army of fans and we expanded into Instagram and Tiktok.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
El-Saie: They're Chihuahuas! And people love seeing the interaction between my dogs and me, what we do, where we go and the cute fun. Chilli is a spicy feisty diva and gets so much attention. He also struggles with anxiety and reactivity so we share tips on how to support dogs with these tendencies. Sukhi is a bundle of love and happiness. Together we share the love, the doggie life and hope to make you smile!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
El-Saie: Our real life is my inspiration for creating content. I have always tried to reflect the joy, ups and struggles about life with my dogs. Of course sometimes we do fun imaginative content too, but it's always based on Chilli & Sukhi's characters.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
El-Saie: Well, occasionally there are some trolls who find it horrifying that I dress my dogs up and that they have social media accounts and say I shouldn't be a dog owner! Everyone has their own opinion, I just smile and ignore. If you're getting these kind of comments it means you're doing something right ;-)
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
El-Saie: It depends what their goal is, but I would say it needs to flow organically - you don't want to force content. I feel that using something that your dog naturally does is a good place to start. It's authentic.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
El-Saie: Chilli (and now Sukhi too) has enriched my life beyond words. He has shown me the kind of love people dream about, pure unconditional love, and I feel it for him too. I wake up every morning with a smile feeling grateful. Chilli and Sukhi make my life feel full, joyous and I've met soooo many people through them! Since I got Chilli I constantly get spoken to by strangers, I received many opportunities to work on creative projects and made some fabulous friends.
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
El-Saie: The mini cab incidence. I smuggled Chilli and Sukhi in a bag into a mini cab as I was in a rush. We were on our way when Chilli suddenly sneezed! The driver said "bless you" and I said "thank you"!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
El-Saie: I get to work with my dogs every day!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
El-Saie: I am publishing the first Chilliwawa book! Still top secret! I can't wait for it to launch.
